nudibranchs text index | photo index
Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > sea slugs > Order Nudibranchia
Cauliflower nudibranch
Dendrodoris tuberculosa
Family Dendrodorididae
updated May 2020
Where seen? This very large nudibranch with whorls of bumps on the upper side and a spotted underside is sometimes seen on some of our Southern shores, near reefs and seagrasses. It may be seasonal: when seen, often many individuals are spotted during the same trip.

Features: 12-15cm long. The upperside with lots of conical bumps arranged in clusters so that that resembles a cauliflower. Colours from dark greyish blue, pinkish purple to pale pink. The underside is distinctive with large pale round spots on a plain smooth background, usually darker. Large rhinophores and large feathery gills.

Pulau Hantu, May 13

Rhinophore and rosette pattern.

Feathery gills.

Pulau Semakau, Jul 15

Spotted underside.

Cyrene Reef, Jul 08

Spotted underside.

Pulau Hantu, Jun 15
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

Cauliflower nudibranchs on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Diseased?
Cyrene Reed, Jun 08
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

Beting Bemban Besar, May 11

Photo shared by James Koh on his blog.


Terumbu Semakau, Jun 15
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on flickr.

Pulau Semakau (East), Jul 24
Photo shared by Richard Kuah on facebook.


Terumbu Raya, Mar 16

Photo shared by Marcus Ng on facebook.

Pulau Hantu, Jan 08
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.


Filmed on Jul 08 at Cyrene Reefs

Nudibranch ~ up very close and very personal @ Cyrene Reef, Singapore from SgBeachBum on Vimeo.


Links

References

  • Tan Siong Kiat and Henrietta P. M. Woo, 2010 Preliminary Checklist of The Molluscs of Singapore (pdf), Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore.
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